Damaging winds knock out power for hundreds in South Sound

THURSTON COUNTY -- Strong winds from the south rushed into the Puget Sound region on Thursday afternoon, knocking out power for hundreds of people as crews worked around the clock.

Wilma Looman returned to her Thurston County home on Thursday afternoon to find out a large tree had crashed to the ground just feet away.

"I never thought a big tree would come down," Looman said. "I didn’t think it was blowing that hard."

Energy crews worked for several hours straight to restore power in neighborhoods from Tumwater to Bellingham. In some places, wind gusts reached over 50 mph.

Mary Lou Finch appreciated the efforts of the power companies.

"That’s great, because I don’t like losing my power so that’s awesome," Finch said.